5/25/10 Writing and Publishing News

Which monarch is championing libel reform? Which publishers are killing endangered trees to make books? What does Facebook do to dissenters? Which writer is claiming Heroes stole the last season from their comic book? The headlines, plus more of the latest writing and publishing news are in this week’s Write Report.

Where the law and literature meet:

Children’s publishers using paper from endangered rainforests: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100524/FREE/100529924#

Tibet cracks down on writers: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-saunders/new-wave-of-dissent-in-ti_b_577594.html?ir=Books

Author of book criticizing Facebook has FB account shut down: http://gawker.com/5542792/facebooks-history-of-squelching-dissent

Queen takes up cause of libel reform (the monarch, not the band): http://www.thebookseller.com/news/119146-libel-reform-back-on-the-agenda-after-queens-speech.html

In Israel, publishers won’t be able to own bookstores: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/ministers-tackling-law-to-keep-publishers-from-also-owning-bookstore-chains-1.292046

Lawsuit says last season of Heroes was stolen. Not sure I’d admit to originating that one: http://techland.com/2010/05/19/lawsuit-alleges-thatheroes-final-year-was-a-rip-off/

Amazon under pressure to axe terrorist books: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5igSSbZn3vm5v00kVgm84ONDeGLeA



More headlines:

Litopia’s fantastic Muse e-zine for writers is out! I’m in it, along with loads of big name writers including one of my faves, Charlaine Harris. Download free here: http://www.litopia.com/muse/muse-issue-one-beginnings

Why the Konrath effect probably won’t help you: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-pinter/the-konrath-effect-will-n_b_579455.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Midlist author tries hybrid self-publishing: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/43258-midlist-author-tries-hybrid-self-publishing.html

The truth about sexual harassment can only be told in novel form: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-reinbach/sex-harassment-and-the-tr_b_577859.html

Author rejected by every major publishing house signs half million dollar deal: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/826446-rejected-author-gets-250k-deal-for-her-next-creation

Writer Stephen Perry missing: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/thundercats-writer-stephen-perry-missing-after-grisly-discovery/

Children’s writer recovering from cocaine addition: http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100517/munsch-addictions-100517/20100517/?hub=CalgaryHome

Neil Gaiman getting dissed for accepting speakers’ fee (and why the heck shouldn’t he?): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/will-weaver/neil-gaiman-dust-up-raise_b_585730.html  

How to tell who’s running for President in 2012? Look at the bestseller list: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-guttman/presidential-possibilitie_b_581846.html?ir=Books

Authors look at alternative routes to getting published: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/24/DDTJ1DIJ95.DTL

Agents comment on the alternative routes to publication, how agents will change to deal with the industry changes: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/43276-agents-weigh-the-growth-of-alternate-publishing-options.html

The books of Lost: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/books/blog/2010/05/meaning_of_sawyers_favorite_bo.html

Why paranormal is still hot: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/43272-p-is-for-paranormal-still.html

Study says books in the home keep kids in school longer: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/7750167/Books-in-the-home-boost-childrens-education.html




Here’s an article I wrote about what to do if you’re presented with a severance agreement: http://nejs.org/2010/05/21/career-tips-severance-agreements/

Guest Post on So You Killed Off the Parents In Your YA/Middle Grade Book? C’mon, You Know You Did It. Eight Ways the Law Affects Teen and Children’s Stories

My guest post this week talks about why you need the law even when writing children's and teen books. Because the parents are so often absent due to death or divorce, your characters deal with custody, inheritance and all types of issues.

If you haven't seen LM Preston's blog, it's worth a visit for YA and sci fi writers. She covers all types of issues on genre writing.

5/18/10 Writing and Publishing News

Which literary agent got busted for stealing from his clients? Which author is dealing directly with Amazon for traditional book publishing? Which book got halted after a libel threat letter went out to everyone connected with it? Is the agency model iPad uses for e-books going to run into antitrust problems in the UK? These and other stories are in this edition of The Write Report.

Where the law and literature meet:

Literary agent on trial for stealing from his authors: http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/court/Literary-agent-trial/article-2145139-detail/article.html

How the agency model may fall afoul of UK’s anti-competition laws: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/118550-legal-issues-raise-question-over-ipad-agency-model-in-uk.html and http://mhpbooks.com/mobylives/?p=15167

Canadian publisher postpones mining book after libel threat letter goes to everyone connected with the book: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/118600-canadian-publisher-postpones-book-on-legal-threat.html

Konrath signs directly with Amazon for traditional book, bypasses agents and mainstream publishers: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/05/shaken-by-ja-konrath-press-release.html


More headlines:

Another piece on applying science to literature: http://www.thecommonreview.org/feature-articles/gottschalls-problem.html

On Ralph Ellison, writer’s block, letting go of the manuscript and finding an ending: http://chronicle.com/article/Ralph-Ellisons-Never-Ending/65399/

Facebook creates community pages for bestselling authors, publishing houses: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/random_house/facebook_creates_community_pages_for_stephen_king_kathryn_stockett_random_house_and_many_others_161594.asp

Cory Doctorow drops Facebook over privacy issues, but his community page is still up: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/authors/cory_doctorow_drops_facebook_account_his_community_page_remains_161606.asp

Amazon to separate out free books from others in bestseller lists: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/43152-amazon-to-drop-free-books-from-kindle-bestseller-list.html

20 Tips for Writers: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31244122/20-Tips-for-Writers-by-Douglas-Clegg

How the iPad is a friend to Penguin: http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/apples-ipad-is-penguins-friend-amazon-enemy/

Konrath gives the details on how he makes money e-publishing, including names, recommendations: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/05/top-ebook-questions.html







Nothing to do with writing, but I couldn’t resist a story about how Florida police deal with 911 calls claiming voodoo curses: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/delray-beach/fl-voodoo-police-20100515,0,5298065.story